GCA 1st Division 2-Day Championship
– Dowlin, Barnwell record tons
After winning the toss yesterday, the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) continued their outrageous form with the bat by amassing 495/4 on day one of their Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/GISE/Star Rentals/Trophy Stall 1st Division 2-day match against Transport Sports Club.
Staged at the DCC ground, the massive innings were fuelled by centuries from experienced all-rounders Christopher Barnwell (101 retired hurt) and Jayden Dowlin (104 not out), while opener Sachin Singh (96) missed out on a century with spinner Steven Sankar plundering 82 in the DCC innings.
Early in the day, Brandon Jaikaran, who scored an unbeaten 400 in the second division tournament last weekend, which stands as a local record, paired with Sachin Singh to eke out a 67-run opening stand before the former departed for 27 this time around. Singh, at his belligerent best, struck 10 fours and five sixes in his 104-ball 96 and shared in a 102-run second wicket partnership with Inderjeet Nanan to take DCC to 169/2, falling just short of his century.
Nanan too would get in on the act and blast a 75-ball 71 (4sx9, 6sx2) before he made his exit, leaving DCC at 201/3. However, Dowlin and Barnwell combined for a whirlwind 172-run partnership as Barnwell blasted 101 from 85 balls, which included five fours and seven sixes, before he retired hurt with DCC at 373.
Dowlin, who anchored his end, watched Steven Sankar, better known for his leg spin, thump the Transport bowlers all around the ground for his 82 (60 balls), striking five fours and seven sixes, and they added another 113. Dowlin would end the innings not out on 104 (143 balls, 4sx9, 6sx3), while Carlton Jaques was also unbeaten on 13 when Barnwell decided to declare with DCC on a massive 495/4.
Kevin Ross bowled a marathon 22 overs and snared 2/131 to lead the way for the hapless Transport bowling attack.
By stumps, Transport had already lost a wicket, closing the day on 7/1 (4.1 overs), 488 runs adrift of DCC’s first innings. Barnwell removed opener Gabriel Rookhum for a 16-ball duck with the final delivery of the day.
Today, DCC will push to bowl out Transport twice in a bid to win outright and secure maximum points.
